West Gresham

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

Lazy Summer Days When: Sat Aug 19, 2017 Noon-4PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Certified Backyard Habitat. Click to enlarge

The Backyard Habitat Certification Program

By Neta Courcey
Certified Backyard Habitat
Wilkes East Resident

Like neighborhoods are to cities, cities to counties, and counties to states, backyard habitats connect our yards to greenways and to wilderness, providing the essential pathways of interconnectedness that nourish the larger community. Communities of humans thrive when they are connected to each other and to the larger community. Just as neighborhood groups like Wilkes East are essential to building and maintaining the larger community, backyard habitats are essential to the community of birds and other wildlife. The swath of habitat that neighbors create is vital, providing refuge areas containing food, water, nesting places and shelter. I am proud to have my little yard be a piece of the bigger network that creates a web of natural habitats throughout the Portland metropolitan area and the Pacific Northwest.

Rockwood Town Center final design. Click to enlarge

Office, apartments and marketplace in the works by Mohawk MAX stop.

From The Gresham Outlook

Gresham City Hall's ambitious plans to reshape the heart of Rockwood are nearly finalized.

All told, public leaders and private developers will plunk down at least $40 million to create the three-building development located between Burnside Road and the "Mohawk" MAX light-rail station at Stark Street and Southeast 188th Avenue.

As The Outlook previously reported, site designs call for commercial office space, residential apartments and an indoor/outdoor marketplace orbiting a central plaza.

Rockwood Town Center plaza. Click to enlarge

Rockwood Town Center 188th & E Burnside. Click to enlarge

The project, branded as "Rockwood Rising," sits on 5.15 acres that formerly housed west Gresham's Fred Meyer. The city's Redevelopment Commission purchased the land for $8.1 million in 2006.

The plans for the Rockwood Rising Redevelopment Project are nearing completion and are open to the public. Zane Sparling, of the Gresham Outlook, offers a breakdown of the design here.

Zimmerman House Muesum and Gardens, Gresham OR. Click to enlarge

Oregon Storytellers with a Local Lens

Right in Wilkes East Neighborhood’s backyard, near Sandy Boulevard and 171st, sits a white, Victorian house surrounded by lush grass and beautiful flower gardens. Have you ever noticed this beauty while driving by?

If you’ve always been curious or it’s been a long time since you’ve visited, let us introduce you to the Zimmerman House Museum and Gardens. This slice of Oregon heritage is run by ECHO – East County Historical Organization (your local historical society) and they have big plans to reinvigorate this Gresham Park.

ECHO’s new board has goals to make this former dairy farm into a thriving place of learning and an event space for the community. They are currently developing plans to add a paved driveway with designated parking spaces, ADA access to the gardens, and create an area for outdoor gatherings. Even though updates will be occurring, plans will hold true to the home’s designation as a historic property on the National Register.

The group is also redefining their educational mission for the museum, so be on the lookout for new exhibits, community events, and stop by for guided tours with expanded content. To start off, they are hosting their first archeological survey in the park on Saturday, September 30. They hope to rediscover some of the home’s former outbuildings like a bunkhouse, outhouses, and more. The public is welcome to join in.

by Monica McAllister
Nadaka Nature Park Coordinator

Summer is here, delicious berries are ripe, baby birds are taking flight, and we hope you have been able to get out and enjoy it all at Nadaka Nature Park! The past couple of months have been bustling with families enjoying the new swing set, community members gathering for parties at the picnic shelter, gardeners tending their veggies and flowers, and nature lovers of all ages exploring the forest. The past few months ‘Friends of Nadaka’ (FON) has been hard at work providing environmental education activities, community events, and stewardship opportunities for our neighbors, schools, and partnering organizations.

We are most excited about the upcoming Seventh Annual Nadaka Nature Park Festival that will take place August 12th from 12-3pm. This family friendly event will include a visit from the Audubon Society of Portland’s Education Birds, free hot dogs and drinks, crafts, games, face painting, dance and music performances. Various partnering organizations will have information booths and fun hands on activities for the whole family. We would love to have volunteers from the Wilkes East neighborhood to help with the event. If you are interested please contact Monica, the Nadaka Coordinator.

2017 Summer Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Inside This Issue:   Rockwood Town Center Awaits Approval Come Visit Zimmerman House Backyard Habitat, Providing Community Nadaka Update, Happenings & More Neighborhood Meeting, Aug 14th 7PM

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

Neighborhood Assn Board Meeting When: Mon May 08, 2017 6:30PM-8PM Where: Simmons' Foster Care 17104 NE Oregon St Portland, OR Get Map!

Board meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Jun 12, 2017
• Jul 10, 2017
• Aug 14, 2017
• Sep 11, 2017
• Oct 09, 2017

Wilkes East Neighborhood
PO Box 536
Fairview, OR 97024

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

April Showers Bring May Flowers When: Sat May 20, 2016 Noon-4PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Join Us, See The Designs When: Sat, Apr 01, 2017 11AM-2PM Where: Sunrise Center 18901 East Burnside Street Get Map!

Come gather to sample delicious, diverse foods from local vendors and provide comment on the City's Rockwood Rising Project.

For more information about this event, contact Emily Bower at 503-618-2416 or Emily.Bower@GreshamOregon.gov.

Come, Join the Fun! When: Sun, Apr 02, 2017 11AM-1PM Where: Friends of the Children 424 NE 172nd Ave. Get Map!

Free! Drop-in futsal games for boys and girls in grades 3-6, from 11 am to 1 pm Sundays in the Friends of the Children gym. Rain or shine. Supervised play is provided by Active Children Portland volunteers. This activity is sponsored by the City of Gresham. A signed waiver is required to participate.

Read more about the Sunday Afternoon Futsal program and print the waiver. For more information, contact Jared Hoffman, 541-921-0686.